UWF turns to receivers, backs and more as attrition depletes quarterback depth

UWF fell in its final home game of the regular season against No. 7 Valdosta State. Head coach Pete Shinnick recapped the loss after the game.
Bill Vilona, bvilona@pnj.com

UWF quarterback Nick Belz (6) rolls to his right before throwing a touchdown pass to Tate Lehtio (88) against Valdosta State in the Argos' last home game of the regular season on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Blue Wahoos Stadium.(Photo: Jody Link/online@pnj.com)

Georgia transfer Sam Vaughn had carried the load for much of the year but did not practice or play this week after suffering an elbow injury in last week’s win over North Greenville.

That left fourth-string quarterback Nick Belz to lead the Argos against No. 7 Valdosta State on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. It was a moment that Belz had been waiting years to see, even if the redshirt senior was unable to produce a win.

“I’ve been here for three years and been working my tail off to get to this point,” Belz said. “I was just trying to go out and make the most of my opportunity tonight. Unfortunately, we fell short, but there’s always next week to bounce back and see what we can do.”

Belz himself did not escape this week unscathed as he suffered an ankle injury late and did not finish the game.

UWF head coach Pete Shinnick utilized a number of different packages in trying to protect and take pressure of Belz.

The “Tribe” formation featured senior receiver Antoine Griffin at quarterback in a spread set. The “Crib” formation put junior running back Chris Schwarz at quarterback in short-yardage and red-zone situations.

Former quarterback Grey Jackson, who was once a favorite to land the starting role prior to the 2017 season, even returned to the fold and took snaps despite making position changes to linebacker and running back in the offseason.

There was nothing ideal about the situation, but the attrition the quarterback room has felt in the 2018 season made the last-ditch moves a necessity.

“You’re always going through scenarios,” Shinnick said. “…(Antoine Griffin) has always kinda been our emergency guy. And Grey had been playing running back so it was like, alright, let’s bring him back over to quarterback and get him some reps.”

“Any time there’s going to be growing pains (with new quarterbacks). There’s a reason people play quarterbacks and stick to one when they try to do it. There are just growing pains when you do it.”

Belz finished 10-of-17 for 101 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. His efficient start, which helped UWF turn a 14-0 deficit into a 21-17 lead, was smudged by two late interceptions, including a game-sealing pick-six.

Shinnick said he was proud of his veteran quarterback’s performance considering the extraordinary circumstances. With his lack of playing time over three years, mistakes were somewhat inevitable.

“Our scout team always gives us a good look each week, but when you’re out there and 11 guys are actually going for your head, it’s about 10 times faster,” Belz said. “You have to make your reads so much quicker. Every decision is in the snap of a finger.”

Vaughn’s status for the finale against West Alabama remains up in the air, leaving Belz as the only other full-time quarterback available assuming his ankle injury isn't worse than it appeared

“Coach Shinnick, Coach Nobles and Coach Deese always do a great job of preparing us each week,” Belz said. “It’s always been that you’re one play away from getting in the game so they try to get all of us prepared like we’re the starter every week.

“Obviously it’s terrible to have four guys hurt in our room, but it’s a next-man-up mentality. They brought us here for a reason. If they didn’t think we could get it done then we wouldn’t be here.”